[TheMercenary]

My 2 cents.
I have lived in Jersey twice, once as child/teen, S. Plainfield; once in the military, Ft. Monmouth. Good move leaving Jersey.

I have lived in the following states in order of event; Chicago subb's, Long Island, Jersey, Oklahoma, S.A. Texas, Washington-D.C., S.A. Texas, Hawaii, S.A. Texas, Ft. Campbell-KY, Jersey, Augusta-GA, Savannah-GA.

Boston:
1) Negatives: Cost of living-Very Expensive to live in the city unless you make a good six figure income, Crowds- to many people everywhere, Traffic- absolute gridlock and no parking, Attitudes, Winter Weather- way cold in the winter, Pollution, apartment living makes it very difficult to own a dog.
2) Positives: Cultural diversity, Always something to do every weekend or day off, public transport or ability to ride bike or motorcycle and keep costs low, Spring and Fall are beautiful, Quick dash to the country side, Canada, and Maine/VT/New Hamshire.

Maryland:
1) Negatives: Comuter traffic, not quite as bad as inner city Boston but bad enough, Housing may be difficult to find that is not going to require a commute, May be required to live way out on commuter line to afford cost of living.

2) Positives: Quick shot to the countryside and coast and Washington D.C., easier to live in the countryside and commute, Cost of living less than Boston, May be able to rent a house and have a dog.

Note having never lived in either city I have experienced inner city living and rural living. Maybe the older I get the less I like the crowds. I prefer rural living more. The city does not make a big difference as most problems revolve around population density. Columbia is a bit less big city but a city any way you look at it. Boston is an animal all it's own. Not much different than D.C., Atlanta, Honolulu, Nashville, Baltimore, etc. The personality may be a bit different but the problems are all the same.

The most important factor in your decision should be cost and affordability. If you think you can swing it go to Boston and see if you like it, you may, like I said I have become more biased as I have gotten older. I met my wife in D.C. and we had a blast as a young couple living there with no serious ties to anything or anyone.

JMHO. Good luck and let us know what your decision tree led you to do. (good idea to write it all down on a bit of paper individually and then compare notes to see where you agree after some joint research).

I am interested to hear what others have to say.